Cup Of Java Might Be Answer To Problems Of Crime, Loitering

ON THE BEAT

October 25, 1998|BRAD BENNETT

Free coffee, anyone? . . . During Monday's Delray Beach Planning and Zoning meeting, a developer seeking to add a convenience store to his gasoline station told of his approach to stemming crime and loitering at the store.

He said the store gives away free coffee to police, prompting a bit of humor from board member Lloyd Hasner just before board members approved the plans.

``Do you offer that coffee to planning commissioners?'' Hasner joked.

The truth, yawn, the whole truth? . . . Delray Beach city commissioners on Tuesday sat for an hour and 20 minutes of testimony and arguments before quickly rejecting an appeal of the Delray Beach Marriott's approved expansion of a restaurant to the hotel at the corner of State Road A1A and East Atlantic Avenue.

Attorney Bruce Silver, representing downtown investor Carl DeSantis, used up most of the time explaining how the planned 4,900-square-foot restaurant with a 1,100-square-foot outdoor cafe would create more parking woes for the downtown area.

But City Commissioner Kevin Egan said the city is working on ways to solve the parking problem. Commissioners agreed that hindering the Marriott's development would not benefit the city and confirmed a city board's determination in favor of the development.

Ever been to a movie with a few too many previews? . . . That's sort of the way the proposal for a 20-screen movie theater at the Boca Raton Airport has been moving through various local bureaucracies.

Preview after preview in recent months, all leading to Tuesday's main attraction.

Muvico's plan for the deluxe theater has been through the Airport Authority a few times, Boca's Planning and Zoning Board, and Wednesday it was the Airport Authority _ again. As usual, city leaders gave it rave reviews.

Tuesday the credits might finally roll on this epic as the City Council considers giving the theater final approval.

Staff writer Brad Bennett covers Delray Beach and can be reached at 561-243-6647. Staff Writer Jill Rosen covers Boca Raton and can be reached at 561-243-6641.